Elspeth Lorraine

2025 is over! Personally and professionally it was a massive year. I was gifted 3 new nephews, 1 new niece, and 1 godson. I lost one of the loves of my life. I signed a 6 book deal for a chapter book series I’m so freaking excited about that sometimes I wander the moors smiling (There are no moors near me this is a blatant lie vis a vis the moors not the smiling). My husband and I along with two super cool kids (they are grownups actually) started a nonprofit. I did some other stuff but how much does one really need to know? 

‍

All year long I send out BiWeekly book reviews of the best in children’s literature. And I hold myself to the highest standards: 

• Did it come out within the last 6 months?
• Did I like it?
• Was it trying to teach kids a moral? If so, I did NOT review it. 

But, as so often happens in life, there is more good literature than I can review. Thus, we come to this year’s honorable mentions. Please enjoy these books that I enjoyed and hope you enjoy or a loved one enjoys. Enjoy! 

‍

‍

Squirrel and Bird

By Laura Baker and Illustrated by Stacey Thomas

‍

Anything

Rebecca Stead and Illustrated by Gracey Zhang

‍

Spooky

Sally Anne Garland

‍

A gift of dust: how Saharan plumes feed the planet

Martha Brockenbrough and Illustrated by Juana Martinez-Neal

‍

Daisy rewilds

Margaret McNamara and Illustrated by Kerascoët

‍

Peachaloo in bloom

Christopher Raschka

‍

Vacation: three-and-a-half stories

Ame Dyckman and Illustrated Mark Teague

‍

At the window

Hope Lim and Illustrated By Qin Leng 

‍

Lone Wolf goes to the library

Kiah Thomas and Illustrated by K-Fai Steele

‍